Everything comes down to this.
I lift the radio, but before I press the button, I turn slowly, taking in the sanctuary one more time.
Rory near the barn, steady and calm.
Volunteers at their stations.
Vendors smiling beneath their tents.
Sky’s dozing in the shade.
The goats plotting crimes.
The Wall of Second Chances waiting to tell the stories of animals who mattered.
And my daughter standing beside the hay bale station, bright-eyed and proud, waving at me like I’m the bravest person she knows.
I’m not.
But for her, I can pretend.
I take another sip of warm tea, flex my pale fingers around the radio, and breathe deep.
“Alright,” I say into the speaker. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter Six
Maverick
“This place is incredible,” Sunny beams, looking around with wide eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t know it existed. Do you think they need volunteers?”
“No,” Bones growls.
Sunny turns to glare at him.
“I agree with Sunny,” Abby says, ignoring Bones completely. “Maybe we can find the owner and ask.”
I bite back a smile as Bones lets out a long, suffering sigh.
His gaze scans the property, sharp and restless, taking in every tent, every vendor, every open gate and moving body. I’m not surprised he’s in protective mode. Sunny’s here, after all, and Bones has never met a shadow he didn’t think might be hiding something dangerous.
Still, he doesn’t have to worry.
I have men surrounding the place inside and out.
Subtle enough not to alarm the guests.
Close enough to become a problem for anyone foolish enough to make one.
I ignore the reason I felt the need to have eyes on the sanctuary today.
It has nothing to do with Olivia or Amelia.
Nothing at all.
A very large portion of my family is here. Children. Women. People under my protection. That is reason enough to increase security.
That is the only reason.
